Refer to my previous comment about MOST people not understanding canine behavior. He should have stayed in the car until the dog was secured, period. The second he approached the dog, the dog could smell the fear/insecurity/anger coming off of him.I would not only like to know why he got out when he did, but why he got out at all. It appears he had no business there. Why get out? He told them to put the dog on a leash, they were complying, then he decides to get out. Why?
My dogs can tell if someone's scared of them from 50 feet away. They are trained to come sit at my feet quietly if they sense this. Not all dogs are trained this way, that's why it's up to the HUMAN to know better how to behave.